Month: September 2023

Case Study: Work Experience for Chertsey High School

We spoke with Tom Corry of Chertsey High School to see how we’ve helped them streamline their work experience programme, making work experience management efficient with minimal staffing.

Can you tell us about your role at Chertsey High School? 

I am the Careers Leader at Chertsey High School, in my time at the school I have also held the positions of Head of Department, Data Protection Officer and Governor. More recently I have become the Director of Careers across a local cluster of Primary, Secondary and SEND Provision schools.

How do you find the experience of managing Careers alongside other teaching responsibilities? 

Careers Education rapidly became a passion of mine during the COVID years, it highlighted to me the reasons behind why we have an education system in the first place, I would frequently put in extra hours to develop our careers provision further to ensure that the experience students gained with us would develop and guide them into careers they deserved. It is a tough gig to carry out while teaching so any support and guidance I could make use of I did, having a network of passionate colleagues and companies to work with is essential.

What are your main challenges as a school when it came to work experience, and how did Changing Education help you address these?

Our biggest challenge was initially the administrative time to contact placements and carry out all of the required checks on them, using Changing Education meant that we only required a small amount of dedicated time to have oversight on the project, as these checks were carried out through the team who would then update us through the app.

How have your students found the programme? Any highlights?

The vast majority of our students thoroughly enjoyed their placements, particularly the ones who took themselves out of their comfort zones and tried something completely outside of their wheelhouse. The feedback that we have received from employers was humbling, to hear how our students presented themselves and engaged in workplace settings was so lovely to hear.

Would you recommend other schools to use Changing Education? Why?

For any school who is thinking of running work experience and has limited dedicated staff to facilitate it, I would strongly recommend the Changing Education Group. The app and dashboard are professional and straightforward to use and have enabled us to put on a work experience programme for our entire Year 10 cohort with minimal staffing.

If you’re a school or college looking to make work experience simple – speak with us to see how we can help you:

👉 Book your provision review

Behind the Team – Introducing the new faces at Changing Education Group

As part of our mission to provide more students with impactful work experience, we’ve expanded our team. This week we’re thrilled to welcome our Marketing Apprentice, H!

Week One at Changing Education Group

Starting a new job can be an intimidating experience, especially when you’re an adult with disabilities. My past work experiences have left me with a sense of unease and apprehension as I felt unsupported and misunderstood. However, my first week at Changing Education has been nothing short of transformative. In this blog post, I’ll share my initial impressions and the positive experiences that have already begun to shape my apprenticeship journey in the world of marketing.

A Warm Welcome and a Supportive Environment

One of the standout features of Changing Education is the genuine passion for ensuring every employee feels valued and heard. This commitment to inclusivity and support was immediately evident from the moment I started. 

The warm welcome I received from my colleagues was a refreshing change from my past encounters. I have been nervous about starting a remote position. While setting up my own working environment works for my disabilities, there is no doubt that creating connections within the company is much better in person.

However,  It’s been just five days and I already feel like an integral part of the team and well-connected with my colleagues.

Learning the Ropes

In my first week, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know not only my fellow colleagues but also the core values and mission of Changing Education. This deeper understanding has been instrumental in helping me grasp the essence of the company and how my role fits into its bigger picture.

During our induction, we were introduced to various departments and gained insights into how they function. We received a comprehensive overview of our job roles and responsibilities, which helped set clear expectations. Additionally, we were briefed on the upcoming changes and developments within the company, ensuring that we are well-informed and prepared for what lies ahead.

Having the opportunity to start with other new starters from a different department has both allowed me to feel less overwhelmed by the process, as we start our journey together, but also given me an insight into how their integration works within a different department to my own. 

Understanding the inner workings of a company is crucial for any new employee. At Changing Education, we delved into the company’s policies and product offerings. This deep dive provided valuable context and knowledge, enabling us to align our work with the company’s overarching goals.

First Tasks

The research tasks assigned during my first week at Changing Education were instrumental in helping us gain a deeper understanding of the company’s operations and culture. These tasks provided a hands-on experience that allowed us to familiarise ourselves with the kind of information each department relies on to function effectively. 

These research tasks not only equipped us with practical skills and introduced us to the tools used within the business, but also underscored the interconnectedness of each department and how the information we gather plays a pivotal role in the overall success of Changing Education.

Building Strong Relationships

A crucial aspect of any successful apprenticeship is having a supportive and nurturing mentor. I’m thrilled to have Heather as my Line Manager. Our interactions during the first week have been incredibly positive, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with her on upcoming marketing campaigns. Her guidance and expertise will undoubtedly be invaluable as I transition from a design background to the dynamic world of marketing.

The Path Ahead

As someone coming from a design background, I recognise that I have much to learn about the marketing field. However, I am confident that the combination of the support and resources provided by Changing Education and the structured apprenticeship program will provide me with a strong foundation in the coming months. I am eager to put my newfound knowledge and skills into action to contribute to the growth and success of Changing Education.

In conclusion, my first week at Changing Education has been a journey filled with positivity and enthusiasm. The company’s commitment to inclusivity, the warm welcome from my colleagues, and the opportunities for learning and growth have set the stage for an exciting apprenticeship in marketing. I can’t wait to see what the future holds and how I can contribute to the company’s mission of changing education for the better.

Welcome to the team H!
Look out for H’s work throughout the year across our social media, and you can connect with her on LinkedIn here.